Government Agency Legal Services in Contra Costa County, California

There are several government agencies that can offer legal help to you. In Contra Costa County these include:

Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)
The County agency responsible for establishing, collecting, and distributing child and medical support for minors as part of California's effort to nurture and protect children and to help them and their families achieve self-sufficiency.

District Attorney Office
The mission of the County's District Attorney’s Office is to seek justice and enhance public safety for all our residents by fairly, ethically, aggressively and efficiently prosecuting those who violate the law, and by working to prevent crime.

Public Defender
The responsibilities of the County's Public Defenders includes legal representation in adult criminal cases charging felony or misdemeanor offenses (non-traffic offenses), in juvenile delinquency cases, and in family law contempt matters as referred by Family Law bench officers

Public Law Library
The Contra Costa Public Law Library makes available informational resources for the legal research needs of the general public.

Public Libraries
The County's public libraries often have legal self-help books, or knowledge of on-line resourses that may assist you.

Sheriff's Department
The County's Sheriff's Department - besides enforcing the law - may be involved in enforcement of court judgments in some civil law suits, such as Small Claims.

Victim Witness Assistance Program
The County's District Attorney's Office has a program to reduce the trauma and insensitivity that victims and witnesses sometimes suffer following a crime, including domestic violence. In this program, advocates guide victims through the legal system and direct them to agencies and organizations that offer assistance and emergency services.